VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s plans to strengthen its electricity supply and improve grid resilience have reached a new milestone, as the final engineering, procurement and construction contracts for the second Malta–Sicily interconnector (IC2) were signed.
The latest agreement, with the PowerFix JV consortium, covers the supply and installation of a 132kV Variable Shunt Reactor at Magħtab. With this contract in place, the project has fully passed through the design and permitting phases. Works are expected to begin in the first weeks of the new year.
Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said the new interconnector is central to Malta’s energy strategy, increasing connection with the European grid, boosting resilience, and enabling greater integration of renewable sources. She said the project will reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels as part of a broader transition to cleaner energy.
Interconnect Malta Ltd. reported steady progress over the past year, including securing environmental permits in Sicily, advancing production of the undersea cable in Norway and the US, and completing detailed marine surveys. In Ragusa, 6km of a planned 21km trench have been dug, with 4km of cable already laid. Works on the base for a 220kV reactor at the Ragusa station are nearing completion.
In Malta, trenching has begun along a 2km route in Magħtab ahead of cable laying. Manufacture of undersea and land cables, two 220kV reactors, and a 220kV/132kV auto transformer is also underway.
ICM divisional manager Joseph Vassallo said the project has met all environmental and climate-proofing requirements and is entering a “delicate and crucial” execution phase.
The 300-million-euro project will link Magħtab and Ragusa via a 122km, 245kV cable with a 225MW capacity, laid near the existing IC1 interconnector. It is co-funded by the ERDF, which allocated 165 million euro. Officials say the project will enhance energy security, support renewable investments and contribute to an estimated 13.5 million tonnes reduction in CO₂ emissions.
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